Politics

SDP Chairmen Warn El-Rufai, Others Against Hijacking Party Structure

BySodiq Lawal

PublishedApril 3, 2025

The Forum of Social Democratic Party (SDP) Chairmen has issued a stern warning to former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, and other new and prospective members, urging them to respect the party’s constitution and avoid any attempts to alter the existing leadership structure.

The warning came during a press conference held on Thursday in Abuja, where 25 members of the party’s leadership were in attendance.

Femi Olaniyi, the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the SDP, addressed the gathering, emphasising that while the party welcomes new members, the fundamental structure and leadership of the SDP must remain intact.

He highlighted that the party would not tolerate any moves aimed at changing the leadership, logo, manifesto, or constitution, stating that such decisions must be discussed thoroughly within the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) before being considered.

Olaniyi was responding to the growing wave of defections into the party, including El-Rufai, a renowned politician and former member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as several other high-profile figures such as Obinna Simon, better known as MC Tagwaye, and former governorship candidates from the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) like Emiyare Etete from Rivers State, Chris Agu from Enugu, and Abdulkareem Mustapha from Kwara.

Despite the influx of new members, Olaniyi reassured the public that the SDP would not compromise its democratic processes.

“We warmly welcome the influx of new members to our party, including prominent politicians from across the country. However, we are clear that any structural adjustments should be done in a lawful and orderly manner, with the proper internal processes followed,” Olaniyi said.

The Lagos SDP chairman further stated that although some changes might be necessary to accommodate the new members, these must not come at the cost of the party’s democratic principles.

He stressed that elected officials at both the state and national levels must be allowed to complete their terms without interference from any quarters, adding that any drastic changes to the party’s identity or structure must be carefully deliberated.

“The constitution is clear,” Olaniyi continued. “New members must go through the proper channels, starting with registration at the ward level. This is a process that must be followed to ensure the integrity of our party’s membership.”

Similarly, Abubakar Dogara, the Chairman of the SDP in Plateau State, echoed these sentiments, insisting that the party’s structure and constitution must be respected by all members, including newcomers.

He called for new members to register directly with their respective ward chairmen, in line with the party’s established procedures.

The SDP’s leadership has been firm in its stance, stating that the party’s growth and success in future elections will not be derailed by efforts to manipulate the internal processes.

Olaniyi also made it clear that while the party is open to new members, it will not tolerate any “manipulative” registration efforts from those seeking to exploit the system.

As of the time of filing this report, attempts to get a response from El-Rufai regarding the warning were unsuccessful.

His media aide, Muyuwa Adekeye, did not respond to calls or messages seeking clarification on the matter.

Sodiq Lawal

Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.